ITALY | LAZIO

Casale del Giglio

As a child and young teenager the fields and lanes of the family estate, Casale del Giglio, were nothing more to Antonio Santarelli than a place where he could spend carefree weekends and indulge his budding passion for motorbike riding; but all that changed when he joined his father Dino in the family business. By then, a shrewd twenty-five year old, he knew instinctively that their unconventional land in the Agro Pontino valley, some 50 kms south of Rome, offered a unique opportunity to attempt something no-one had ever attempted before.

The Story

In 1967, Dino Santarelli, founded Casale del Giglio at Le Ferriere in the Agro Pontino Valley near Latina, some 50 kilometers south of Rome. This area, unlike other Italian wine regions was almost completely unexplored from a vine growing perspective.

In 1985, Casale del Giglio embarked on a monumental experiment to nurture over 60 different international grape varietals in their soil. Led by winemaker Paolo Tiefenthaler and involving members from the academic community, the goal of this multi-year research was to determine the grapes that can do well in the Lazio terroir.

The believers of this bold and daring project were amply rewarded when the first significant results were achieved from the Syrah and Petit Verdot, among others. Indeed, the estate’s flagship wine is the rich red Mater Matuta (Syrah with a touch of Petit Verdot). As for the Whites: the Viognier, Sauvignon, Chardonnay and Petit Manseng (originally a native of the French Atlantic Pyrenees), with the latter being one of the most intriguing offerings in their portfolio.

With these wines, combined with products of indigenous varietals such as the Bellone and Cesanese, Casale del Giglio offers a rich portfolio of products that will elevate the representation of quality Lazio wines.

BELLONE BIANCO LAZIO IGT

SKU:

+782920

VINTAGE:

2018

GRAPE:

100% Bellone

FORMAT:

12-pack

TASTING NOTES:

The Bellone has been an indigenous grape of the Latium region since Roman times. It is typically found along the coastal region between Rome and Latina where a constant sea breeze and the microclimate contribute to a grape that over-ripens with high concentrations of both sugar and acidity, along with a pronounced mineral note. Deep yellow with a golden tint, the Bellone evokes sunshine and ripe tropical fruit such as mango and papaya. The fruit is nicely balanced by a marked acidity which makes it suitable for long bottle aging. On the palate, it is rich, ample, with a zesty tang that lingers in a long finish. Excellent with appetizers, fish dishes, especially a rich fish soup or Bouillabaise.

SILVER – International Wine & Spirit Competition 2017

SILVER – Sélections Mondiales du Canada, May 2017

SILVER – 23rd Concours Mondial Bruxelles (2015 VINTAGE)

BRONZE – Decanter World Wine Award 2016 (2015 VINTAGE)

90 Points - James Suckling, November 2016 (2015 VINTAGE)

BELLONE BIANCO LAZIO IGT ‘ANTHIUM’

SKU:

+241604

VINTAGE:

2016

GRAPE:

100% Bellone

FORMAT:

6-pack

TASTING NOTES:

The Bellone has been an indigenous grape of the Latium region since Roman times. It is typically found along the coastal region between Rome and Latina where a constant sea breeze and the microclimate contribute to a grape that over-ripens with high concentrations of both sugar and acidity, along with a pronounced mineral note. Using hand-harvested and hand-sorted grapes from vines as old as 70+ years, the Bellone ‘Antium’ is one step up from the Bellone Bianco with sharper fruit character and lingering mineral finish. Exquisite on its own and pairs well with first courses and fish dishes.

BIANCOLELLA BIANCO LAZIO IGT

SKU:

+207558

VINTAGE:

2017

GRAPE:

100% Biancolella

FORMAT:

6-pack

TASTING NOTES:

Grown on the Island of Ponza, Biancolella is a native grape from Campania. It grows at the base of a sheer sea cliff by the imposing lighthouse— ‘Faro della Guardia’. The Biancolella grapes undergo soft pressing of whole grapes and subsequent spontaneous fermentation with indigenous yeasts. Aged on the lees for about 7-8 months before bottling. Pale yellow with a greenish hue. An intense floral perfume, with ripe golden peach and fresh apricot. The palate is flinty and fresh, reminiscent of the volcanic and calcareous soils and sea breeze. A lingering fruity finish with a hint of citrus. Good body and firm fruit make the wine suitable for prolonged bottle aging.

91 POINTS – James Suckling

SILVER – Mondial des Vins Extremes, July 2018

SATRICO BIANCO LAZIO IGT

SKU:

+207551

VINTAGE:

2017

GRAPES:

Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, and Trebbiano Giallo

FORMAT:

6-pack

TASTING NOTES:

This white wine takes its name from the ancient pre-Roman city of Satricum. A blend of 40% CHARDONNAY, 40% SAUVIGNON BLANC, and 20% TREBBIANO GIALLO grapes, vinified separately. Only the very best bunches are selected, then by soft-pressing the free-run juice is separated from skins and slowly fermented with controlled temperature for 7 or 8 days. The new wine matures in stainless steel tanks before bottling. A bright straw-yellow, this elegant blend reveals a fruity, lightly aromatic yet mineral nose. The flavours are confirmed on the palate by a pleasing crispness and lengthy finish.

GOLD – Sélections Mondiales des Vins Canada, June 2018

SILVER – Sakura Japan Women's Wine Awards 2018, February 2018

BRONZE – Decanter World Wine Awards 2018, May 2018

PETIT MANSENG BIANCO LAZIO IGT

SKU:

+477083

VINTAGE:

2017

GRAPE:

100% Petit Manseng

FORMAT:

6-pack

TASTING NOTES:

Originally from France, the Petit Manseng grape was planted for the first time in Central Italy by Casale del Giglio in their vineyard 50 km south of Rome. The result is this amazing White with a brilliant strawyellow colour and an inviting aroma. Fruity and spicy on the nose while fresh, crisp, and flinty on the palate, this wine is exquisitely structured with a seductive, fruit-filled finish. Excellent sipping wine on its own; versatile with food, especially fish dishes in savory sauce.

CESANESE ROSSO LAZIO IGT

SKU:

+646711

VINTAGE:

2016

GRAPE:

100% Cesanese

FORMAT:

12-pack

TASTING NOTES:

Produced from Cesanese, an indigenous grape of Italy, this wine is deep ruby red with intense aromas of marasca cherry followed by spicy notes of white-, black-pepper and violet. On the palate, it is soft and well balanced with persistent tannins and pronounced acidity, essential criteria for long aging. Excellent with white meat, turkey, or savory stew.

PETIT VERDOT ROSSO LAZIO IGT

SKU:

+646653

VINTAGE:

2015

GRAPE:

100% Petit Verdot

FORMAT:

6-pack

TASTING NOTES:

Vinified with two techniques; the ‘submerged cap’ technique is aimed at extracting the grape’s softer tannins, and the second, ’punch down’, for its strong colour. Part of the new wine undergoes malolactic fermentation in stainless steel tanks, the other part in wood. Once blended, the new wine spends 8-12 months in barrique, then bottled and aged 6 months before leaving the winery.This deep crimson wine displays an intense, lingering aroma of red berry fruits, cherry, and juniper. Elegant and full-bodied, with rich velvety tannins, the wine presents a spicy and white peppery finish.

GOLD – Berlin Wine Trophy 2017, Februrary 2017

GOLD – Sakura Japan Women's Wine Awards 2017, February 2017

TEMPRANIJO ROSSO LAZIO IGT

SKU:

+201426

VINTAGE:

2015

GRAPE:

100% Tempranillo

FORMAT:

6-pack

TASTING NOTES:

A deep ruby-red wine with aromas of raspberry, blackcurrant, woodland fruits and a hint of ripe marasca cherry. A rich, concentrated palate where notes of spice and fruit, highlighted by the presence of sweet tannins, lead to a long finish. Well suited to long bottle aging.

91 Points – James Suckling, November 2017

92 Points – James Suckling, November 2016 (2014 VINTAGE)

93 Points – James Suckling, November 2015 (2013 VINTAGE)

SILVER – AWC Vienna, September 2015 (2013 VINTAGE)

MADRESELVA RISERVA ROSSO LAZIO IGT

SKU:

+207561

VINTAGE:

2015

GRAPES:

Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Petit Verdot (Equally blended)

FORMAT:

6-pack

TASTING NOTES:

All three red grape varieties are picked when fully ripe. Each grape is vinified differently and fermented separately in small oak casks for 18-20 months, then blended in equal proportions, and finally ages in the bottle for 8-12 months.A bright, intensely concentrated, ruby-red wine. The nose reveals a very mature, dark personality—black cherries with undertones of autumn leaves and juniper. The palate is well-balanced and persistent with velvety tannins that reflect the dark, fruity, balsamic character of the nose.

GOLD – Berliner Wein Trophy, September 2018

92 POINTS – James Suckling, 2018

MATER MATUTA ROSSO LAZIO IGT

SKU:

+263954

VINTAGE:

2013

GRAPES:

85% Syrah, 15% Petit Verdot

FORMAT:

6-pack

TASTING NOTES:

A deep, dense, ruby-red wine which displays outstanding character both on the nose and on the palate with its aroma of coffee beans, violets, ripe black cherry, coriander, nutmeg and cinnamon. On the palate, it is silky and seductive, but perfectly supported by fine tannins and a pleasing astringency, delivering a long, lush finish. Excellent with most savory red meat courses, roasts, stew, as well as mature cheeses.

Both grapes of the Mater Matuta are harvested when fully ripe, with the Syrah being even slightly shriveled. The Syrah contributes to the complexity of character, highlighted by smooth tannins and intensity of the black cherry and spice. Meanwhile the full-bodied Petit Verdot gives the Mater Matuta its long aging potential.

GOLD – Berlin Wine Trophy 2017, Februrary 2017

GOLD – Mundus Vini – 2017 Spring Tasting, May 2017

96 Points – I Migliori Vini Italiani – Latium Region – Frascati 2016

93 Points – James Suckling, November 2016

APHRODISIUM LAZIO IGT

SKU:

+265827

VINTAGE:

2014

GRAPES:

25% Petit Manseng, 25% Viognier, 25% Greco, 25% Fiano

FORMAT:

6-pack (500 mL)

TASTING NOTES:

Very lush and floral, with layers of sweet yellow fruit. Balanced sweetness on the palate that's not overwhelming. This late-harvest has a nice freshness and very good drinkability.